|
|
|||||||||
|
||||||||||
|
||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||
|
||||||||||
 |
Review by Jack Foley |
 |
DVD SPECIAL FEATURES: Disc One: Animated menus; Finding Nemo -
an exclusive sneak peek of Disney/Pixar's next feature film release; Filmmaker's
audio commentary; Sound effects only mix.
Disc 2: For The Birds - 2001 Academy Award-Winner for Best Animated Short
Film; All-new animated short film, Mike's New Car (created exclusively for
the video); Outtakes; 7 Easter Eggs; US Premiere; Trailers and TV Spots; Poster
Gallery; Multi-language clip reel.
MONSTER WORLD MENUS: Monster TV Treats; Ponkickies 21 - all new animation
created for Japanese television; Disney Storytime; "If I Didn't Have
You" music video; Company Play Program - cast bios, photos and advertisement;
On the Job with Mike and Sulley; Welcome to Monsters Inc. - introduction;
Your first day - orientation for new employees at Monsters Inc.; History of
the Monster World; Employee Handbook; Monster of the month; Scare Cards
HUMAN WORLD MENUS: Pixar's fun factory - John Lasseter takes you on a tour
of Pixar Animation Studios; Pixar Air Show - Paper airplane contest with Pixar
staff (easter egg); Story is King featurette; Monsters are Real featurette;
Original treatment; Deleted scenes; Original opening; Storyboard to film comparison;
Cast of Characters; What makes a Great Monster?; Character Design; Monstropolis
making of Featurette; Setting the scene; Colour Script; Master lighting; Location
flyarounds; Monstropolis art gallery; Guide to "In" jokes; Animation
process; Early tests; Opening title animation; Hard parts featurette; Shots
department; Production demonstration; Monster Song - behind the scenes look
at "If I Didn't Have You"; Sound design featurette; Biaural Recording.
Just when you thought Shrek had stolen the animation
crown from Disney, Pixar - the creators of Toy Story and A Bug's Life - strike
back with another monstrous gem.
Monsters Inc, boasting the vocal talents of Billy Crystal, John Goodman and
Steve Buscemi, is an ingenious, funny, touching and inspired romp that is
guaranteed to appeal to audiences of all ages.
Set in an alternative reality called Monstropolis, where monsters draw on
children's screams for their energy resources, the movie quickly establishes
a terrific double act between Goodman's 'scare-king', Sulley, and Crystal's
wise-cracking assistant, Mike, as they attempt to beat the all-time scream
record with Buscemi's slippery opponent.
But things take a turn for the worse when Buscemi's attempt to cheat allows
a child into Monstropolis and the adorable two-year-old girl, who is considered
to be toxic to all monsters, sets about wreaking mayhem.
The girl, however, quickly becomes attached to Sully's big-hearted monster
and the two establish a relationship that threatens to undermine his friendship
with Mike and his shot at record-breaking glory.
Like Shrek, Monsters Inc challenges the audiences' perceptions of its central
protagonists. Sulley may at first seem scary, as he ruthlessly extracts the
screams of sleeping children by emerging from their cupboards late at night,
but he is, in fact, just doing his job and quickly becomes affected by the
girl's innocent charm, risking all to protect her.
The ensuing 'father/daughter' relationship is very well observed and quite
moving, offering a nice break from the mayhem.
Visually, Monsters Inc is also a delight, packed with colour, all manner of
creatures and some superbly-realised set pieces -with a late chase through
numerous doors one of many awe-inspiring highlights.
Voice-wise, Goodman and Crystal strike the type of partnership which evokes
memories of Morecambe and Wise in their heyday, while the likes of Buscemi,
James Coburn and Jennifer Tilly all make the most of another frothy script.
While not quite as good as Toy Story, this is incredibly good fun from start
to finish, rounded off with another set of brilliant out-takes during the
end credits - and for the eagle-eyed Pixar fans among you, try counting the
Toy Story references; there are several cameo appearances.
ALSO AVAILABLE: Monsters Inc - Standard Edition. Click here...
Monsters Inc Gift Pack (DVD and Toy). Click here...
